Nintendo Wii Fanboy

SSX Blur didn't exactly receive unanimous approval. Many thought that the Wii controller was going to be a perfect fit for the trick-heavy snowboard series, and while some continued to think that after playing it, other reviewers were nonplussed.

EA Montreal's Eric Chartrand, who recently revealed Nintendo's Mii stinginess, responded to the cumulative critical "meh" his last game received, saying "The reaction to the game was very... how can I say that... interesting." He goes on to talk about wildly varying feelings about the effectiveness of the control scheme. He also suggested that the gaming press were disproportionately negative about the controls, and that the public enjoyed the game more than reviews would indicate.

What did you think about Blur? Did you find it "serviceable and enjoyable at times" or do you agree with Chartrand that it was a "damn fine game"?

[Update: fixed a broken link.]

To celebrate the release of SSX Blur, EA held an event at Quebec's Ice Hotel, which is a hotel made of ice. A hotel, where people sleep, where the walls are made of ice.

Journalists got a chance to play the new game and see new demos of Army of Two and a mysterious new property that is, unfortunately, under embargo. Junkie XL, who is responsible for Blur's soundtrack, provided a performance, presumably using non-ice-based instruments. The crowd was also treated to drinks at the ice bar (a bar made of ice), and, of course, warm chicken soup, which no doubt helped everyone keep warm. Ice, as you may have heard, is cold, and the event took place in a building made entirely of ice.

We don't know whether to be jealous of the people who were invited to this unusual locale, or happy that we spent the day in an environment habitable by humans. Luckily Blur is out in stores and we can enjoy it in our nice, temperate homes.

[Via QJ.net]

With the game's release a mere few days away (2/27 in case you didn't know), those of you dying to get out on the digital mountain and get some huge air are probably sitting at your computer, Googling away furious for some more news on the title, or perhaps some reviews. You've also probably got your snow boots on. It's OK, we understand (we rarely leave the house without our Wiimote in our pocket), and we humbly offer you some screens of the game.

As usual, we've embedded some of our favorites past the post break for your viewing convenience.

More dozens than a baker could ever count of images for SSX Blur have hit the intertron and we here at Wii Fanboy really think they could look better. Granted, we have not yet seen the game in motion, so final judgements are nowhere near close to being made on our part (we roll honest here, folks). What we thinks doesn't matter though, it's all about you guys!

So, do the new screenshots get you excited or instill a sense of apathy on par with our own? We've included several more of them past the jump for your viewing pleasure.